NFL DRAFT COVERAGE including the Packers' picks, a gallery of top prospects, mock drafts and more.">
NFL DRAFT COVERAGE including the Packers' picks, a gallery of top prospects, mock drafts and more.">

NFL DRAFT COVERAGE including the Packers' picks, a gallery of top prospects, mock drafts and more.

These are the two safeties widely considered head of class. And they approach the position very differently. Clinton-Dix was the fluid, calm leader pushing the buttons on the back of Alabama's defense. Pryor was more of a freewheeling, roaming tone-setter.

"CP is a great player," Clinton-Dix said. "He plays fast. He's always around the ball. He can hit. He's a physical person, so if I could compare myself, I'd say I'm quick as him. I can't say I could hit like him. He's a big hitter."

There's a good chance the Packers add a safety in the first or second round. Last season, negligence backfired. Green Bay trusted M.D. Jennings and/or Jerron McMillian would deliver — bypassing safeties in free agency and the draft — and neither player developed. The group as a whole combined for zero interceptions and was beat deep too often.

The Packers didn't sign a new running mate for Morgan Burnett in free agency and did indicate Micah Hyde will get a look at safety. But at No. 21 overall, Clinton-Dix or Pryor could fall to them.

The Seattle Seahawks, featuring Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, are living proof that elite safeties make a difference.

Pryor is the one who sent receivers to the sideline. And it's the versatile Jimmie Ward or the athletic missile Terrence Brooks Green Bay covets.

But Clinton-Dix was the most complete player at the position this year.

"There's a lot of good prospects out there," Clinton-Dix said, "but I think what separates me from the rest of them is the system I played in. Like I said, Coach (Nick) Saban's system is very hard. It took me my entire freshman year to learn that system. And I think that's what separates me."

1. HA HA CLINTON-DIX, ALABAMA

6 foot 1, 208 pounds, 4.58 seconds in 40-yard dash

Lowdown: True quarterbacks in the secondary are not easy to find. In a pro-style defense, one that has been producing plenty of talent under Nick Saban, Clinton-Dix was the one calling the shots deep. So even though his playmaking production dipped from 2012 to 2013 — five interceptions to two — Clinton-Dix is the best safety in this draft and could go in the top 10. He plays with 325/8-inch arms and is a deliberate decision-maker. Clinton-Dix isn't shy in the run game; rewind his flip of Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell. He's both hitter and tackler. In coverage, the safety takes good angles and was rarely beat deep. The athleticism isn't elite. Clinton-Dix was average in pre-draft workouts (11 reps, 33-inch vertical). Still, he's the surest thing at the position.

Projection: First round.

2. CALVIN PRYOR, LOUISVILLE

5-11, 207, 4.58

Lowdown: Pryor says he is a "huge fan" of Chancellor. It's easy to see why; both are piercing hitters. Clinton-Dix himself made a note of that at his combine news conference. Pryor tattoos receivers in the open field. The toughness he credits to his dad's upbringing was on display in forcing nine fumbles with 218 tackles in three seasons. He will take more risks than Clinton-Dix. Pryor believes he's best in a "greedy" defense where he could roam more. He knocked out players in three straight games, including one devastating collision against Central Florida. Unlike Clinton-Dix, Pryor shared communication duties in the secondary. And that propensity to stray from the scheme might get Pryor into trouble in the pros.

Projection: First round.

3. JIMMIE WARD,

NORTHERN ILLINOIS

5-11, 193, 4.47

Lowdown: Ward might be the top ball hawk in this year's draft. He picked off seven passes for 103 yards and was used at a variety of spots. Defensive coordinator Jay Niemann said he used Ward in deep zones, underneath zones, as an eighth man in the box, man up on slot receivers and even sent him on blitzes. Ward responded and held his own against stiffer Senior Bowl competition. His weight could be an issue. He's considerably lighter than the other top safeties. Going with a lighter safety the last two seasons, Jennings, didn't pan out for Green Bay. Is Ward different? In college, he knew how to time his jump on routes (10 breakups in addition to the picks), and Ward possesses a 38-inch vertical leap.

Projection: Second round.

4. TERRENCE BROOKS,

FLORIDA STATE

5-11, 198, 4.42

Lowdown: More than any safety, Brooks has opened eyes since the season ended. And his season ended with a national championship win. The 40 time combined with a 38-inch vertical is appealing. Brooks is a true student of the game — he used to review opponents on his iPad during class. He doesn't lack confidence, either. Brooks says he "definitely" is the best safety in the draft. He finished 2013 with 56 tackles (38 solo), two interceptions and five breakups. In run support, Brooks doesn't think twice. He attacks ball carriers with sharp, violent angles. On the down side, he left a few interceptions on the field and was a tad out of control in pursuit at times.

Projection: Second round.

5. DEONE BUCANNON, WASHINGTON STATE

6-1, 211, 4.49

Lowdown: Bucannon passes the safety eye test. Tall, broad-shouldered, ripped, he has the body scouts covet at the position. His speed is accompanied by strength (19 reps) and quickness (6.96 seconds in three-cone drill), and Bucannon led the Pac-12 in tackles and tied for the lead in interceptions. He finished with 15 picks in his collegiate career. With all of this obvious high-ceiling potential comes some risk. Bucannon wasn't as fluid in deep coverage and didn't lock down slot receivers as much as Ward. He was beaten for multiple big plays. He could excel as a box safety.

Projection: Second round.

6. BROCK VEREEN, MINNESOTA

6-0, 199, 4.47

Lowdown: There might be a drop-off at safety after Clinton-Dix, Pryor, Ward, Brooks and Bucannon. Vereen deserves consideration because of his hybrid potential. The brother of New England running back Shane Vereen has experience at corner and safety. While creating only five turnovers in college, Vereen was revered as an intelligent player on Minnesota's last line. He benches 25 reps at 225, and his 4.07 seconds in the short shuttle ranked second at the position. Playing six games at safety and seven at cornerback, Vereen finished with 59 tackles, one interception and six breakups last season. Vereen could serve the multi-dimensional role for a team that Mike McCarthy envisions for Hyde.

Projection: Third round.

7. ED REYNOLDS, STANFORD

6-1, 207, 4.57

Lowdown: Reynolds was a big play waiting to happen in 2012. His 301 interception return yards were one yard shy of a NCAA record. A former all-state running back, Reynolds is a dynamic, smooth athlete once the ball is in his hands. He rushed for 1,314 yards on 154 carries his senior year of high school, leading Duke and others to recruit him as a running back. Reynolds has the size to shadow athletic tight ends. He'll lower his shoulder; Reynolds drew a targeting suspension. Still, a statistically average 2013 season could raise questions. He missed some tackles and doesn't close quite as fast as Brooks and others.

Projection: Fourth round.

8. CRAIG LOSTON, LSU

5-11, 217, 4.65

Lowdown: Loston is another hard-hitting safety for teams in the middle rounds. In finishing with 57 tackles (four for loss) last season, Loston played downhill. He was caught playing a tad too aggressively at times (over-running plays). Still, defenses seeking violent closers to combat athletic quarterbacks might consider Loston. He had some success against Johnny Manziel. Manziel's two worst games in college (by far) — five picks one game, 39% completion percentage in the other — came against LSU, and Loston was one reason why.

Projection: Fourth round.

9. DION BAILEY, USC

6-0, 201, 4.66

Lowdown: Bailey also could be used as a linebacker in the pros. He finished with 141/2 tackles for the loss and nine interceptions the last two seasons. Bailey says the experience at linebacker helps him read "run or pass" from the offensive linemen and believes his game resembles Troy Polamalu. At safety, he still remains raw and could need time.

Projection: Fifth round.

10. KENNY LADLER, VANDERBILT

6-0, 207, 4.70

Lowdown: Ladler is a strong, experienced, proven playmaker. Last season, he intercepted five passes and forced five fumbles. He can read quarterbacks and take the angles needed to force turnovers. He's known as Swiper. On stripping and punching the ball out, Ladler said, "If the ball's close to you, I really just go off of my instincts." Ladler is best suited at free safety with his more narrow frame. His average speed might be a concern for teams, and he was beaten for his share of deep plays, too. Ladler was known as a strong locker-room leader as a four-year starter.